Local students win C-SPAN documentary contest

Karen Yi, Sun Sentinel

They’re still in school but they’re already making their TV debut – on C-SPAN.

Eight South Florida students won C-SPAN’s StudentCam competition that asks middle and high school students to produce five to eight minute documentaries. This year, students were asked what issues the President should consider in 2013.

James Roldan of Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale won $1,500 for his second place documentary, “Education: America’s Challenge.” The documentary will air April 22 at 6:50 a.m.

Eighth grade students Camila Tussie, Jacob Wilentz and Brian Bosem from Falcon Cove Middle in Weston took third place and won $750. Their documentary was titled "The Dangers of an Increasing National Deficit."

Sixth grade student Owen Blackwell, of BAK Middle School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, took an honorable mention and $250 for his documentary, "You can Make a World of Difference," about climate change.